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Amnesty (2)
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Robert T. Hartmann Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Presidential Clemency Board. (09/16/1974 - 09/15/1975)
Amnesty
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The original documents are located in Box 9, folder "Amnesty (2)" of the Robert T.
Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
PROCLAMATION
Announcing a Program for the Return of
Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters
A PROCLAMATION
The United States withdrew the last of its forces from the
Republic of Vietnam on March 28, 1973.
Over a year after the last American combatant had left Vietnam,
the status of thousands of our countrymen -- convicted, charged, inves-
tigated or still sought for violations of the Military Selective Service Act
or of the Uniform Code of Military Justice -- remains unresolved. In
exile abroad or in hiding closer to home, they are adrift from those they
love and from the roots which can give significance and purpose to their
lives.
In furtherance of our national commitment to justice and mercy
these young Americans should have a second chance to contribute a
share to the rebuilding of peace among ourselves and with all nations.
They must be allowed the opportunity to earn return to their country,
their communities, and their families, upon their agreement to a
period of alternate service in the National Service together with an
indication of their allegiance to the country and its constitution.
In the period of its involvement in armed hostilities in Southeast
Asia, the United States suffered incalculable losses. Many thousands
died in combat; thousands more were wounded; others are still listed as
missing in action.
All Americans agree that desertion in time of war is a major,
serious offense; failure to respond to the country's call for duty is
likewise unacceptable. Reconciliation among our people does not require
that these acts be condoned. Yet, reconciliation calls for an act/of
mercy to find the nation's wounds and to heal the scars of divisiveness.
k
with
FORDO LIBRARY is CERALD
no
eveld
olver
Lbe,
Digitized from Box 9 of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Now therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United
States, as Commander in Chief and pursuant to the pardon power and
the power faithfully to execute the laws conferred upon me by Article II,
Sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution, do hereby proclaim a program to
commence October 1, 1974 to afford reconciliation to Vietnam era draft
evaders and military deserters upon the following terms and conditions:
1. Draft Evaders - An individual citizen who allegedly unlawfully
failed to register, to report for preinduction or induction examination,
to report for induction itself, or to report for or complete alternate
service during the period from August 4, 1964 to March 28, 1973 and
who has not been adjudged guilty in a trial for such offense, will be
relieved of prosecution and punishment for such offense if he (1) reports
to a United States Attorney within the period October 1, 1974 to January 31,
1975, (2) executes an agreement acknowledging his allegiance to the
United States and pledging to fulfill a period of alternate service under
the auspices of the Director of the Selective Service System, and
(3) satisfactorily completes such service. The alternate service shall
promote the national health, safety, or interest.
Draft evaders chose not to accept the responsibility of military
service when their nation called. Thus, no draft evader will be given
the privilege of discharging his obligation to complete a period of
alternate service by service in the Armed Forces.
The period of service shall be twenty-four months, but shall be
reduced by mitigating circumstances as determined by the Attorney
General.
2. Military Deserters - Members of the military who have been
administrati vely classified as deserters by reason of unauthorized absence
and whose absence commenced during the period from August 4, 1964 to
March 28, 1973 will be relieved of prosecution and punishment under
Articles 85, 86 and 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and for
offenses directly related thereto if within the period October 1, 1974 to
January 31, 1975 they execute an agreement with the Secretary of the
Military Department from which they are absent acknowledging their
allegiance to the United States and pledging to fulfill a period of
alternate service under the auspices of the Director of the Selective
Service System for a period of twenty-four months, but shall be
-2-
reduced for mitigating circumstances as determined by the Secretary
of the Military Department. The alternate service shall promote the
national health, safety, or interest. However, if any such individual
has additional outstanding charges pending against him under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, he will be eligible to participate in
this program only after a final disposition of the additional charges
has been reached in accordance with law.
All such deserters who elect to seek relief through this program
will receive an undesirable discharge from military service. There-
after, upon satisfactory completion of a period of alternate service
prescribed by the Military Department, the individual will be entitled
to receive, in lieu of his undesirable discharge, a clemency discharge
in recognition of his fulfillment of the requirements of the program.
3. Presidential Clemency Board. Many individuals at present
stand convicted of draft evasion or have received punitive or undesirable
discharges from a Military Service for having violated Articles 85, 86,
or 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. By Executive Order, I
have this date established a Presidential Clemency Board which will
review the records of individuals in this category who apply, and
recommend to the President that clemency be granted in appropriate
cases. Where appropriate, the Board may recommend that clemency be
conditioned upon completion of a period of alternate service.
4. Alternate Service - In prescribing the length of alternate
service in individual cases, the Attorney General, the Military Depart-
ments, and the Clemency Board shall take into account such honorable
service as an individual may have rendered prior to his absence, penalties
already paid under the laws and such other mitigating factors as may be
appropriate to assure equity between those who served their country
when called and those who will serve under this program.
In witness hereof, I have hereunto set my hand this
day
of September in the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred Seventy-Four,
and of the independence of the United States of America the 199th.
-3-
Executive Order
Delegation of Certain Functions Vested in the
President to the Director of the Selective
Service System to Effectuate the
President's Pardon Power
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President
of the United States under Article II, Section 2 of the
Constitution and under Section 301 of Title 3 of the
United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. The Director of the Selective Service
System is designated and empowered without the approval,
ratification or other action of the President, to establish,
implement, and administer the program of alternate service
authorized in the President's Proclamation
Section 2. Departments and agencies in the Executive
branch shall, upon the request of the Director of the
Selective Service System, cooperate and assist in the im-
plementation or administration of the Director's duties
under this Order.
Gerald R. Ford
September 9, 1974
FACT SHEET
The President has today issued a Proclamation and
Executive Orders establishing a program of clemency for draft
evaders and military deserters to commence October 1, 1974.
This program has been formulated to permit these individuals
to return to American society without risking criminal pro-
secution or incarceration if they acknowledge their allegiance
to the United States and pledge to serve a period of alter-
nate civilian service.
The program is designed to conciliate divergent elements
of American society which were polarized by the protracted
period of conscription necessary to sustain United States
activities in Vietnam. Thus, only those who were delinquent
with respect to required military service between the date
of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution (August 4, 1964) and the date
of withdrawal of United States forces from Vietnam (March 28,
1973) will be eligible. Further, only the offenses of draft
evasion and prolonged unauthorized absence from military
service (referred to hereinafter as desertion) are covered
by the program.
Essential features of the program are outlined below.
1. Number of Draft Evaders. There are approximately
15,500 draft evaders potentially eligible. Of these some
8,700 have been convicted of draft evasion. Approximately
4,350 are under indictment at the present time, of which
some 4,060 are listed as fugitives. An estimated 3,000 of
these are in Canada. A further 2,250 individuals are under
investigation with no pending indictments. It is estimated
that approximately 130 persons are still serving prison
sentences for draft evasion.
2. Number of Military Deserters. Desertion, for the
purposes of this program, refers to the status of those
members of the armed forces who absented themselves from
military service without authorization for thirty days or
more. During the Vietnam era it is estimated that there
were some 500,000 incidents of desertion as so defined. Of
this 500,000 a number were charged with offenses other than
desertion at the time they absented themselves. These other
offenses are not within the purview of the clemency program
for deserters. Approximately 12,500 of the deserters are
still at large of whom about 1,500 are in Canada. Some
660 deserters are at present serving sentences to confinement
or are awaiting trial under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice.
3. Military Absentees and Convicted Evaders. Those
already convicted of draft evasion or who were discharged
from the military service with a punitive or undesirable
discharge because of a military absentee offense during
the Vietnam era may apply for clemency to a five member
Clemency Board, established by Executive Order. The Board
will review their records and recommend clemency on a case-
by-case basis to the President. In the absence of exacerbating
circumstances, the Clemency Board would be expected to recommend
clemency. When appropriate, the Board could recommend clemency
conditioned upon some alternate service.
The Clemency Board could also recommend to the President
that a clemency discharge be substituted for a punitive
or undesirable discharge in the case of a military absentee.
4. Unconvicted Evader. Draft evaders will report to
the U. S. Attorney for the district in which they allegedly
committed their offense.
Draft evaders participating in this program will be
required to make a written agreement with the U. S. Attorney
to perform alternate service, under the auspices of the
Director of the Selective Service System. The agreement will
include an acknowledgement that the alternate service indicates
allegiance to the United States.
The duration of alternate service will be from 6 to 24
months, as determined by the U. S. Attorney. For example,
extreme family hardship might justify a short term.
The Director of the Selective Service System will have
the responsibility to find alternate service jobs for those
who report. The Director may issue a certificate of
satisfactory completion at the end of the alternate service
to the individual and U. S. Attorney, who will either move
to dismiss the indictment if one is outstanding, or drop
possible charges in cases where an indictment has not been
returned.
- 2 -
If the draft evader fails to perform the agreed term
of alternate service, the U. S. Attorney will be free to,
and in normal circumstances will, resume prosecution of
the case as provided in the terms of the agreement.
Aliens who fled the country to evade the draft will be
ineligible to participate in the program.
5. Unconvicted Military Absentees. Military absentees
who have no other pending charges may elect to participate
in the program. Those who make such an election will be
required to execute a reaffirmation of allegiance and pledge
to perform a period of alternate civilian service. Those
against whom other charges under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice are pending will not be eligible to participate in
the program until these other charges are disposed of in
accordance with law. Participants in the program will be
separated with an undesirable discharge. Although these
discharges will not be coded on their face in any manner,
the Veterans Administration will be advised that the recipients
were discharged for willful and persistent unauthorized absence.
They will thus not be eligible for any benefits provided by
the Veterans Administration.
The length of required alternate civilian service will
be determined by the parent Services for each individual on
a case-by-case basis. The length of service will be from 6
to 24 months. After being discharged each individual will
be referred to the Director of the Selective Service System for
assignment to prescribed work. Upon certification that this
work has been satisfactorily completed, the individual may
submit the certification to his former Service. The Service
will then issue a special new type of discharge--a Clemency
Discharge--which will be substituted for the previously
awarded undesirable discharge. However, the new Clemency
Discharge will not constitute entitlement to Veterans Admin-
istration benefits.
6. Alternate Civilian Service. Determining factors in
selecting suitable alternate service jobs will be:
1. National Health, Safety or Interest.
2. Noninterference with the competitive labor
market. The applicant cannot be assigned to a job
for which there are more numerous qualified applicants
than jobs available.
- 3 -
3. Compensation. The compensation will provide
a standard of living to the registrant reasonably
comparable to the standard of living the same man
would enjoy had he gone into the military service.
4. Skill and talent utilization. An applicant
may utilize his special skills.
5. Job location. An applicant will normally
work outside his community of residence.
7. No Grace Period. It is not contemplated that there
will be a grace period for those outside the country to return
and negotiate for clemency with the option of again fleeing
the jurisdiction.
UNCONVICTED DRAFT EVADER AND MILITARY ABSENTEE
DRAFT EVADER
MILITARY ABSENTEE
Report To U. S. Attorney Where
Report as Prescribed By The
Offense Was Committed
Military Department Concerned
Agree With U. S. Attorney To
Agree With The Concerned
Perform 6 to 24 Months Alternate
Military Department To Perform
Service
6 to 24 Months Alternate Servic
Perform Alternate Service
Upon Request, Military Depart-
Under The Auspices Of The
ment Forgoes Prosecution, and
Director Of Selective Service
Issues Undesirable Discharge
Director of Selective Service
Perform Alternate Service
Issues Certificate of Satis-
Under The Auspices Of The
factory Completion of Alter-
Director Of Selective
nate Service
Service
Receipt Of A Certificate Of
Director Of Selective Service
Satisfactory Completion Of
Issues Certificate Of Satis-
Alternate Service By A United
factory Completion Of Alter-
States Attorney
nate Service
Dismissal Of Indictment Or
Receipt Of A Certificate Of
Dropping Of Charges
Satisfactory Completion Of
Alternate Service By The
Concerned Military Department
Clemency Discharge Substituted
For Undesirable Discharge
CONVICTED DRAFT EVADER AND MILITARY ABSENTEE
DRAFT EVADER
MILITARY ABSENTEE
Apply To Clemency Board
Apply To Clemency Board
Clemency Board May Recommend
Clemency Board May Recommend
Clemency To The President
Clemency To The President, In
The Form Of Substituting A
Clemency Discharge For A
Punitive Or Undesirable
Discharge
President May Grant Clemency
President May Grant Clemency,
In The Form of Substituting
A Clemency Discharge For
A Punitive Or Undesirable
Discharge
EDITORIAL REACTION TO RECENT EVENTS
September 12, 1974
THE PARDON OF RICHARD NIXON
Southern Papers
The Alexandria (Va.) Gazette -- "President Ford indeed
shown he has the fortitude and strength necessary to see
this nation back to good health. Instead of decrying his
actions we applaud them."
The Miami Herald -- "We are filled with a sense of out-
rage at the timing of the pardon and its rationale. Mr. Nixon
has not been convicted of anything, yet Mr. Ford would 'seal
the book' in order to 'ensure domestic tranquility.' We
believe that Congress should reopen the case and lay all the
facts on the record. What remains is a giant question mark
beside the administration of Gerald Ford which seemed so
credible, so openhanded, so right after SO many wrongs."
The Charlotte Observer --- "It raises the question, only
one month after Mr. Ford's assumption of the presidency, of
whether this will be another administration that easily lies
to the public."
The Richmond News Leader -- "This is no time for moral
absolutism. Rather, one of amnesty. Richard Nixon will go
to his grave an unhappy man. President Ford acted in the
high, ennobling tradition of mercy. He deserves great
praise. And Mr. Nixon now deserves to be left alone."
Eastern Papers
Newsday -- "It seems a mockery indeed to speak of equal
justice when Mr. Nixon is set unconditionally free just five
days after John Dean was shut away behind bars. President
Ford spoke of averting 'ugly passions,' polarization of
opinion and challenges to the 'credibility of our free
institutions of government' that might be unleashed were
Nixon's prosecution dragged out. Yet Mr. Ford's decision
to pardon his predecessor seems to have produced all three
effects at once."
The Portland (Maine) Press Herald -- "President Ford has
erred greatly. The President has not tempered justice with
mercy. He may have obstructed justice not merely in its
application to Richard Nixon but to others as well. Neither
Nixon nor the people have been well served by this action."
2
The Boston Herald American -- The President's pardon
"was the act of a deeply compassionate man. We commend
him despite the controversy and criticism which he knew
were inevitable."
Midwest Papers
The Minneapolis Tribune -- "In the absence of some more
complete explanation, many Americans must conclude that Mr.
Ford has espoused a double standard of justice. There may
have been compelling reasons for Mr. Ford to short-circuit
the judicial process. He owes the country some further
explanation. Without it, his action may have precisely
the opposite effect."
The Youngstown (O.) Vindicator -- "President Ford surely
knew what granting the pardon this early would cost him.
The explanation must lie in facts that have not been
disclosed. The tranquility has been torn apart by this early
pardon. We hope we can get the reason before too long."
The Chicago Sun-Times -- "While President Ford acted
upon the dictates of his own conscience, he may seriously
have misread the will of the public, which has a vested
interest in full answers to questions about Mr. Nixon's
involvement in Watergate. We are not advocating that Nixon
be hounded, or that Mr. Ford be damned for his compassion.
But the record has to be legible. Mr. Ford himself should
want all doubt about his action expunged."
ADMINISTRATION
Newspaper Editorials
Chicago Sun-Times' David Murray said a billion dollars,
conservatively, is the "aggregate fortune" of the Rockefeller
family and may be the largest stumbling block to Nelson
Rockefeller's confirmation hopes. Murray reported that
staff members of the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue
Taxation said there is "no way" to put all of the Rockefeller
wealth together, although Rockefeller himself is supplying
all they are asking for. "Nothing like this has ever been
tried before", said Murray.
Chicago Sun-Times said Kenneth Rush and John Sherman
Cooper are qualified for their diplomatic posts and prompt
Hill approval is in order. Unfortunately, said the Sun-Times,
this does not extend to George Bush and Shirley Temple Black.
The Nixon Administration had a "notorious record" in "sullying
and politicizing" the State Department with a "record number
of amateurs." This is a trend that needs to be reversed"
promptly and permanently," said the Sun-Times.
3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch said there is every reason to
accommodate General Haig with an appropriate military assign-
ment, although the Post-Dispatch said it is reserving
judgment on his suitability for the NATO post. But the
Post-Dispatch also said Pres. Ford would be "well advised"
to ease him out of the White House.
The Milwaukee Journal said General Haig is a "special
problem. " Despite his abilities, he is a liability to
President Ford. While he perhaps would be a good man for
the NATO post, that would return him to the "same ethical
trap" that forced him to resign from the military last
year. He is too tainted with the politics of the Nixon
Administration to avoid the appearance of a conflict of
interest if returned to active duty in such a "high and
sensitive" command. It is unfortunate for the military to
lose a man of General Haig's worth, but he made his choice
last year. The Journal concludes "there is no place for him
on active duty. "
The Detroit Free Press said General Haig proved an "able
administrator" both in his military career and his brief
term in the White House. The nation is "in his debt"
for the responsible way he dealt with the recent transfer
of power. But Senator Proxmire, the Free Press said, is right
when he said that returning him to active duty would 'send
a clear signal throughout the military officer corps that
politics pays off -- and in a big way. The Free Press
said there is no precedent for a former military man
returning to active duty after holding so high a political post.
MAGAZINE COMMENT
Commentators Showed Responsibility
John Roche in TV Guide said the networks behaved with
great responsibility in the Watergate finale. It was
apparent, he said, that the advocacy journalism of an
earlier epoch had either been abandoned or put on a leash.
By the time the House Judiciary Committee had agreed on
articles of impeachment, there was no need for any commentator
to engage in sniping. In reporting the Nixon resignation,
the networks did not engage in overkill. Their commentary
reflected the national sense of relief that it was over,
rather than any vengeful shots against Nixon. The temptation
to twist the dagger was successfully resisted, Roche said.
4
Blacks for Ford Staff
Simeon Booker in Jet reported prospects for some Black
appointments to the White House staff, possibly a photo-
grapher, some in their personnel office, one or more in
the press office. Stanley S. Scott, a Nixon Special
Assistant, has been told he will have access to Pres. Ford,
though he may not hold same position. Rockefeller "boasts
a stable of competent black aides" which he may bring to
D.C. with him, said Booker.
#
#
#
#
NEWS SUMMARY
September 11, 1974
(Wednesday nets, wires)
The major stories:
President to Weigh Pardon Requests on a Case-by-Case Basis.
Announcement by Republican Congressional Leaders of
President's amended position was networks' top story.
"President Ford's trial balloon sank slowly back to
earth, punctured and tattered," said Roger Mudd on CBS.
"If it was a trial balloon, the White House has now
decided it won't fly," said Bill Zimmerman of ABC.
It was "a preposterous screw-up," said Ron Nesson NBC.
Results in Tuesday's Primary Elections.
Republicans "just couldn't forgive me," said Rep. Lawrence J.
Hogan (Md.), the first Republican on the House Judiciary
Committee to announce he would vote to impeach Richard
Nixon, as he conceded defeat in his bid to become his
party's candidate for governor. The victor, Louise Gore,
said on CBS it was not Hogan's position which defeated
him, "it was his grand stand play on his announcement"
for impeachment. Three House incumbents lost: Reps.
Glenn R. Davis (R, Wis.), Bertram L. Podell (D, N.Y.),
and Robert O. Tiernan (D, R.I.).
President Releasing $415 million to Create 85,000 Public
Service Jobs.
White House Conference with Labor Leaders on Economy.
Eastern Air Lines Plane Crashes at Charlotte, N.C.
-
President's Request for $850,000 for Nixon.
Richard Nixon's Health as Reported by a Family Member to AP.
Feed Grains, the Fuel for Meat, Milk and Eggs, Helped by
Rains but Crops Are Below 1973.
CBS Reports President Ford Outdrove Arnold Palmer and Gary
Player Off 1st Tee.
--
Democratic Congressional Leaders Decide to Hold a Post-
Election Session.
--
Federal Trade Commission Would Require 5 Top Department
Store Chains to Repay Customers $2.8 Million in Charge
Account Overpayments.
2
Rockefeller Confirmation Hearing Starts September 23.
Said He Would Comply with Senate Rules Chairman's
Order to Make His Finances Public.
Compromise Reached in West Virginia School Textbook Dispute.
TELEVISION COMMENT
Here are the comments of Harry Reasoner (ABC), Eric
Sevareid (CBS) and David Brinkley (NBC):
NBC Evening News Commentary
David Brinkley
To introduce David Brinkley's commentary, John Chancellor
said that reaction caused by the Nixon pardon may have reached
a peak and that Brinkley's remarks deal with the nature of that
storm of criticism.
David Brinkley:
When his lawyer and his press secretary were asked if
President Ford was surprised by the negative reaction to his
pardon for Mr. Nixon, they both answered, "Well, he knew it
would be a controversial decision," which, of course, did
not answer the question.
Today some people who've been close to him tell us that,
in fact, he was surprised -- that he expected some negative
reaction but not that much and did not expect so much from
his own party. That while he presented it as an act of con-
sideration for a man who with his family had suffered enough,
an act of compassion, it failed to go down that way, and that
on the contrary, it was seen by many people as the kind of
political dealing they thought they had just got rid of.
Obviously, that was not the effect intended or desired.
And so there was some miscalculation, some lack of under-
standing of the depth of public feeling about the need for
equal justice in this country. So many Americans beset with
crime see our system of justice fail every day. It is, in
fact, one of this country's oldest permanent floating failures,
but that's at a much lower level. So when it is seen to fail
at its highest level and not by flaws in the system but by an
individual decision, a public outcry might have been expected.
3
CBS Evening News Commentary
Eric Sevareid
It is clear by now that President Ford has not been a
bride on a honeymoon. He has been an apprentice test pilot
flying a machine with a lot of bugs in it -- and in the crew.
Some of the hold-overs seem to think the previous pilot is
still at the controls and some of the newcomers are a bit
confused and dizzy from the altitude. Mr. Ford can't get
control of the government or public opinion until he gets
control of the White House.
To assume from the reaction to his pardon of Mr. Nixon
that he just can't fly and can't learn is unfair at the
least. He inherited, after all, one of the most excruciat-
ingly painful cans of political, moral and legal fishooks
in our recent history.
The Nixon pardon is accomplished fact, the backlash from
Congress makes further Watergate pardons next to impossible.
All this probably makes it impossible for Congress to approve
the overall $850,000 requested for Nixon's transition. Congress
is not likely to let Nixon have twice what LBJ had -- not in
addition to that gold mine called the tapes. He can write
his own version of recent history from them and then destroy
them, and so much for any objective account for future genera-
tions. But there is that 1965 Presidential Libraries Act:
Ex-presidents can keep their official records and the tapes
are apparently no different from pieces of paper under the
law.
Our ex-presidents are not merely pensioned, provided guards
and granted office help: They are handed as they leave a
capital investment potentially worth millions. They can write
books from these materials or they can sell them outright. The
greatest soldier of them all, Gen. Marshall, took away from it
all nothing but his purely private papers. He refused even to
write his memoirs, and he died rather poor. Secretary of State
Dean Acheson took only the private things. When he wrote books
later he had to ask State Department permission to see documents,
some of which he had written himself. In his judgment presidential
libraries were improper and ought to have been held illegal. But
times change, so do the standards, so do the men.
4
ABC Evening News Commentary
Howard K. Smith
The debate about the Nixon pardon looks like raging on
indefinitely and indecisively. Mercy for a man who served
much and suffered much is a strong argument but so is the
equality of high and low alike before the law. I can't
decide between them. However, it does look as though it was
Mr. Ford's timing that caused the rage in the debate. Before
that I don't think Americans were far apart on the question.
I found that everywhere I have been since the impeach-
ment hearings an accepted assumption that Mr. Nixon would
never go to prison or suffer other legal punishment. But it
was also assumed that pardon would come only after a judicial
process. It's not vengefulness to Mr. Nixon, it is the need
to know that required a trial.
Watergate is the nearest thing to a coup d'etat, an
alleged seizure of illicit power, that we've known. Yet
many questions remain. We don't even know elementary things
like "Why did they bug the Democratic Headquarters?" -- it's
never been made clear. We don't know the extent. What about
suspicions that campaign funds were used for private ends.
Mr. Nixon may be completely innocent, but we shan't
know. Only judicial process, clear charges, all the evidence,
rebuttal by Nixon's lawyers could tell us. It's not the pardon
that caused a national convulsion, it's the aborting of fact-
finding -- the suspension of the principle of accountability
to the people. It seems ill-considered and today's contra-
dictions about pardons for all don't improve that impression.
CBS EVENING NEWS
Roger Mudd said President Ford's trial balloon full of
Watergate pardons came back to earth punctured and tattered
by critical congressmen, commentators and columnists. Bob
Schieffer reported from the White House that first word of
the about-face came when Republican congressional leaders
emerged from a two hour meeting with the President. Senator
Hugh Scott had a statement he said President Ford asked him
to read, the clarifying statement. Senator Scott (on film)
said the announcement on Tuesday by Mr. Hushen concerning the
study of Presidential clemency and pardons was prompted by
queries to the White House on Mrs. John Dean's reported state-
ment in reference to pardoning of her husband, and similar
statements on behalf of others. Such a study is made for any
request on behalf of any individual, Scott said.
5
Congressman John Rhodes (on film) said what he thought
President Ford intended to say was that any pardon request
he received would be considered. Schieffer said sound
cameras were not allowed on Tuesday when Hushen was asked
if the President was considering such pardons. But trans-
cripts show that he said Hushen was authorized to say that
the entire matter is under study. On Wednesday, Hushen
said blanket amnesty was never under study for the Watergate
people. Another White House source said the statement was
simply a trial balloon launched in haste, which just as
quickly collapsed.
Mudd reported that CBS producer John Merriman was
believed among the dead in the crash of the Eastern Airlines
DC-9 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mudd said incumbents fared well in general in Tuesday's
primaries, although Glenn Davis (R-Wis.) lost his seat, as
did Robert Tiernan (D-R.I.) and Bertram Podell (D-N.Y.).
Mudd said voters rejected the New York slate-makers. Betty Ann
Bowser reported the ethnically-balanced ticket picked by
organization and liberal Democrats headed by Howard Samuels
was defeated. Bowser said Ramsey Clark, a political maverick,
ran an unorthodox campaign, limiting all contributions to not
more than $100, and spent nothing on television. For Meade
Esposito, one of New York's political bosses, it was a bitter
pill, said Bowser. Esposito (on film) said he did not believe
it was a defeat for the organization, but said "it can't be
politics as usual anymore -- people are fed up with politics."
Mudd said the District of Columbia's selection of Walter
Washington was tantamount to his reelection in the heavily
Democratic city. However, Mudd said Rep. Hogan (R-Md.) was
a "surprise loser.' Connie Chung reported that Hogan's
political future ran into trouble when he became the first
Republican on the House Judiciary Committee to publicly an-
nounce his intention to vote to impeach Richard Nixon. A
film clip of Hogan when he made his statement of how he
planned to vote, warning it might lead to his defeat as
gubernatorial candidate, and could end his future political
career was shown. Chung said despite Hogan's impeachment
stand, many thought he would run away with the nomination
race. Louise Gore, Chung said, quietly concentrated on
Republican regulars, and both now are agreed that Hogan's
part in the impeachment was a political liability. Hogan
(on film) said while he thought he had recovered, he was
unfortunately wrong. But Gore (on film) said it was not
6
that Hogan was for or against impeachment, but his "grandstand
play" which he made on his announcement.
"He turned a solemn vote into what many thought was a
political circus," Gore said. Gore faces a tough fight against
incumbent Governor Marvin Mandel, Chung said.
Phil Jones reported from the White House that President
Ford opened the second mini-summit with the announcement that
$415 million will be spent to provide 85,000 public service
employment in areas of high unemployment, which Jones said
would double the number of such jobs. President Ford (on film)
said he was watching the unemployment rate "very, very
closely" and the Administration will act with compassion.
Jones said in one area, President Ford said "just what the
labor leaders wanted to hear" -- that there will be no man-
datory wage-price controls.
George Meany (on film) said they had controls in the days
of LBJ, and they didn't work, adding they will not work in this
country, unless the controls are "absolute" right down to the
"last local grocery store."
Jones said the labor leaders agreed with most of the
economists that the current policies of tight money and high
interest rates are bad for almost everyone but the nation's
loan sharks. Jones said there was general opposition to any
massive budget cutting, with most having felt this would lead
to higher unemployment. George Hardy of the Service Workers
International Union (on film) said the track record of the
previous administration "stinks -- and you've got to do
something, Mr. President. Jones said Ford "summitry" moves
out of the White House on Thursday to Atlanta with the depressed
housing and construction industry the subject of discussion.
CBS' Daniel Schorr reported it was "uphill all day" for
Arthur Sampson of the General Services Administration as he
testified before Senator Montoya's appropriations committee
that is reviewing Administration request for $850,000 for
Mr. Nixon's transition expenses. Schorr said the Senators'
constituents are resentful of the request. Senator Mark
Hatfield (on film) said that over the last week or SO his
mail has been running 99.9 percent against granting the
request. Sampson (on film) said the request was not on
behalf of Mr. Nixon as an individual, and not for his per-
sonal use, such as for legal defense costs.
7
Schorr said not only were specific items challenged, but
Montoya questioned whether the Presidential Transition Act
could even be applied to a President who had not completed
his term. Senator Montoya (on film) said the Committee will
accord every consideration possible to the former president,
but "we don't want to indulge in any excesses here." Schorr
said behind the "rigorous technical examination" of the
request is the fact that the Senators are getting mail from
their constituents saying they don't want former President
Nixon to get anything like $850,000.
NBC EVENING NEWS
John Chancellor reported that the White House spent the
day back-pedalling from yesterday's announcement that President
Ford was studying an extended pardon for all defendants in-
volved in Watergate.
Acting Press Secretary Jack Hushen, who yesterday said
he was authorized to make the pardon announcement, said
according to Chancellor, that "It was a complete distortion
by the press. "
After meeting with the President, Rep. John Rhodes and
Sen. Hugh Scott appeared on film in the White House News
Briefing Room to clarify Ford's position. Rhodes said that
the President will give consideration to any requests for
pardon he receives from Watergate defendants. Sen. Scott
reiterated the Administration's preference for case-by-case
study emphasizing, "Applications for pardon have not reached
the President's desk. "
The welcome for President Ford in North Carolina was
friendly until he reached the dedication site for the Golf
Hall of Fame where, Tom Brokaw reported and film footage
showed, a small group of protesters criticized the disparity
between the Nixon pardon and possible Vietnam amnesty pro-
posals. Ford's remarks which centered only on golf, Brokaw
said, did not mention the controversy.
To further explain the pardon situation, Hushen said
requests would be processed through the Justice Department
and that he was unaware of the receipt of any such applica-
tions. Brokaw said Hushen also said the Administration
announcement of the study was "taken out of context" and
denied that the action was a trial balloon.
8
Chancellor, who said some politicians are calling the
pardon controversy "an honest mistake," commented that there
is no information to confirm any Nixon/Ford deal on pardoning.
Ron Nessen reported some close Ford aides have termed the
handling of the pardon controversy as the new administration's
first mistake dubbing it with various descriptions: "goof,"
"gaff," "boo-boo," and "preposterous screw-up."
Nessen commented that Ford admitted to both Republican
Congressional leaders and one reporter whom the President
phoned that the action was "handled badly. " Two White House
aides said numerous phone calls from Republican politicians
indicated GOP fears that the pardon action would cost the
party votes in November.
"All those we contacted claimed Mr. Ford acted from
honest motives and will be able to ride out the reaction
better now than later," said Nessen.
Today was the first day of Senate Appropriations Sub-
committee hearings on the General Services Administration's
$850,000 request covering Nixon's San Clemente and transition
expenses. Chancellor reported there was some skepticism
about the requested amount.
Robert McCormick commented, "The committee plainly
intends to squeeze every penny. Sen. Mark Hatfield, in a
film clip, said the committee must judge on the behalf of the
public the value of such a large appropriation to a person
"who has already extracted federal funds for private property
purposes. II The Senators, McCormick reported, were particularly
appalled at a $110,000 appropriation for construction of a
vault to store Nixon tapes and records.
GSA Administrator Arthur Sampson explained that Nixon
was legally allowed to select the site of any such vault.
On the total funding request, Sampson explained on film:
"These funds are not intended to improve his financial well-
being or will any be used to provide him purely personal
services such as legal counsel."
Sen. Montoya, on film, said Sampson had been given a
"snow job" by Nixon associates, and McCormick reported
Chairman Montoya is considering calling Ronald Ziegler as
a witness. The Chairman, McCormick commented, expects the
annual cost for maintenance of Nixon's "establishment" to
approach one million dollars.
9
Last night, reported Chancellor, a Nixon family member who
asked not to be identified, phoned the Associated Press and
reported that the former President was in a state of "deep
depression and that he is suffering from a recurrence of
the phlebitis condition in his leg." The unidentified caller
said "suicide was alien to Nixon's religious beliefs but I
guess you never know. "
An Eastern Airlines plane crashed while trying to land
in Charlotte, N.C., killing 69 of its 82 passengers. NBC
film surveyed the wreckage. Federal and Eastern Investigators
have failed to determine a reason for the crash. One FAA
inspector, NBC's Kenlye Jones reported, said weather did not
appear to be the primary cause of the crash.
More than 120 arrests have been made in one of the
biggest drug raids in the Western Hemisphere. No resistance
was reported in the raids aimed at halting the smuggling of
three billion amphetamine tablets annually. Arrests were
made in Mexico, Los Angeles, and New York City with one raid
catching an operation that produced over $1.5 billion in
profit.
NBC said the Treasury Department proposed legislation
Wednesday that would limit the President's power to deter-
mine who has access to income tax returns.
The Senate approved a $3 billion military construction
bill including an $18 million appropriation for work on the
Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. The funds may be used
only if the President determines such action is in the national
interest.
Irving R. Levine reported that Ford began today's session
with labor leaders with what he hoped would be a well-received
announcement -- the creation of 85,000 public service jobs in
state and local government at a cost of $415 million.
"I am watching the unemployment rate very, very closely,"
the President said on film. "This Administration will act
with compassion. We will not permit the burden of necessary
economic restraint to fall on those members of society least
able to bear the cost. II
Levine reported the labor leaders criticized current
economic policies in calling for a change. Shown on NBC film
were George Meany, AFL-CIO President; Sol Stein, Textile
Workers President; George Hardy, Service Workers International
Union; and Albert Shanker, American Federation of Teachers.
10
Levine said that after the meeting he was told by Arthur
Burns, Federal Reserve Chairman, that he would not be swayed
by the labor leaders urging of lower interest rates. Burns
said high interest rates were needed to fight inflation.
Chrysler Motors announced an average increase in 1975
car prices of $400. American Motors announced a $300 increase.
The Federal Trade Commission accused five department
store chains -- Lerner Stores, Nieman-Marcus, Lord and Taylor,
Bergdorf-Goodman, and Bonwit Teller -- of keeping almost
$3 million belonging to charge account customers.
Chancellor reported primary returns in New York, Maryland,
Florida, Colorado, and the District of Columbia.
The Senate Rules Committee voted to begin confirmation
hearings on Nelson Rockefeller's nomination as Vice President
on September 23. It ruled that the former New York Governor
must make public his entire financial holdings. Sen. Howard
Cannon on film said such disclosure would allow the American
public to make its own determinations of any possible Rockefeller
conflict of interest.
Rockefeller, interviewed by Charles Quinn, as he arrived
in Washington to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin,
said, "I'm here to conform to whatever they want.
Quinn reported that confirmation was not expected before
the November elections, precluding any Rockefeller campaigning
in accordance with the Vice Presidential desgnate's former
statement on the subject.
In Boston, parents continued to plan for school's opening
with clips of the police chief warning students against
creating any violence.
A compromise was reached in the textbook dispute in
Charleston, W. Va., with an organization of parents to take
a month to review subject matter in the controversial books.
The books will be taken out of the schools during the review.
At least 200 people were killed in racial rioting in
Mozambique.
In a UN-sponsored meeting, Greek and Turkish forces on
Cyprus agreed on an exchange of sick and wounded prisoners.
11
ABC EVENING NEWS
Howard K. Smith said the storm of protest over the Nixon
pardon reached near hurricane proportions Tuesday when the
White House said pardons for all Watergate figures were under
study. Wednesday, the White House backed down, Smith said.
Bill Zimmerman on film said if it was a trial balloon, the
White House has now decided it will not fly.
"For nearly 24 hours it hung there, raising the ire of
people already upset by the sudden pardon of Nixon and raising
hopes of some of those involved in the Watergate affair,"
Zimmerman said.
The first word of a change in position, said Zimmerman,
came after Ford met with Hill GOP leaders. Senate and House
minority leaders Scott and Rhodes told reporters flatly that
Ford was not studying blanket pardons. Rhodes on film said:
"there's no study going on, nor is there need to be. The power
of the President to pardon or not pardon is very clear under
the Constitution. I think what Ford is saying here is that,
if he receives in due course and due form requests for consid-
eration of pardon from any of those people, in this rather large
class, they will not be thrown in the wastebasket. They will
be considered all on their merits, each of them."
The storm began, said Zimmerman, at the Tuesday briefing
by Hushen when he responded to question about Mrs. John Dean
asking about pardon for her husband.
"I'm authorized to say the entire matter is under study,"
Hushen said. When asked if that included all persons connected
or involved with Watergate, Hushen replied, "That is correct."
Wednesday Hushen told newsmen Ford has never considered
blanket pardons for those involved in Watergate. What is
under study is the general subject of the President's pardon-
ing power, said Hushen.
Harry Reasoner said Ford "set aside weighty problems like
Watergate pardons and the economy and flew to Pinehurst, N.C.
to dedicate the World Golf Hall of Fame. "
Over film of Ford leaving the White House for trip, Tom
Jarriel said this was one of the trips Ford committed himself
to make while Vice Pres., at one point Ford decided not to
take these trips until the transition problems were ironed out.
But though Ford still had plenty of headaches, said Jarriel, he
decided to go anyway.
12
When Ford arrived in North Carolina, the communications
gap over the pardon was pursuing him, said Jarriel on film of
the airport reception. Jarriel said Ford avoided any direct
comment as he spoke to the friendly crowd of servicemen and
families, and he worked the crowd campaign style.
Ford seemed as pleased to be with the name golf pros as
they were to have him cut the ribbon, said Jarriel.
On film, Ford said: "No one will ever forget Alan Shepard
swinging his home-made six-iron as he stepped up to the ball
on the moon. That was one great chip shot for all mankind."
But even deep in the piney woods of North Carolina, pro-
test signs were evident, said Jarriel. One sign said 11 '74
Ford just another lemon. Generally, the crowd was friendly
and as non-political as a golf ball, Jarriel reported.
Reasoner reported the Senate Appropriations sub-committee
considered the presidential request to grant $850,000 for
Nixon's transition. GSA Administrator Arthur Sampson defended
the request, but sub-committee chairman Montoya told him the
Nixon aides who helped him prepare the request must have done
quite a snow job on him, because they wanted more than twice
what was given Johnson when he left office.
Smith reported that Ford announced at the second economic
meeting that he will release $415 million in Federal funds to
create 85,000 new public jobs in state and local governments
to ease unemployment.
Herbert Kaplow reported on the meeting with 28 labor
leaders. Ford on film appealed to labor leaders and captains
of industry for restraint: "It must be a self-imposed re-
straint. As I have said before, there will be no controls im-
posed on wages and prices as far as I'm concerned."
Kaplow said this pledge against controls only partly re-
assured AFL-CIO President George Meany because some Ford aides
have been talking about wage-price guidelines.
Meany on film said guidelines are the same as controls.
"You never see greater patriotism, greater civic pride,
on the part of employers when you give them guidelines on
wages, Meany said. "Price and wage controls will not work in
this country unless control is absolute and complete --
wages controlled by fiat from the government and prices con-
trolled right down to the last local grocery store. II
13
George Hardy of the Service Workers' International Union
said the Administration's track record "stinks". "You've got
to do something, Mr. President," he said. "It's your ball game
now."
By end of session, union men had received assurances that
Ford would provide additional jobs if unemployment increased
too much, said Kaplow. But they came away still uneasy about
administration talk on guidelines. They received no satisfac-
tion that the President would favor seeing the Federal Reserve
ease its tight money policy. On these three issues, said Kaplow,
they got half their loaf, which an optimist would say is better
than no loaf at all.
Stephen Geer made a film report on the crash of an Eastern
Airlines plane in Charlotte, N.C., killing 69, with 13 surviving.
Smith reported on the D.C. Democratic primary, was won
by Walter Washington, "which means he'll almost surely become the
Capital's first elected mayor under the home-rule charter."
Frank Reynolds said that even some of the most faithful
party members showed little interest in picking their candidates,
but as always, there were exceptions. In Maryland, Republicans,
many of them described as still believing in the innocence of
Spiro Agnew, got together to slap down Congressman Hogan who
was the first member of the House Judiciary Committee to an-
nounce for the impeachment of Nixon and who wanted to become
governor. On film, Hogan said, "There's no question a majority
of Republicans who voted in the primary just couldn't forgive
me for voting to impeach Nixon. " Reynolds said Hogan's suc-
cessful opponent, Louise Gore, once described the Judiciary
Committee hearings as "a television circus."
In New York, it was a bad day for the bosses, Reynolds
said, as the Democratic high command's. endorsed slate lost.
Rep. Hugh Carey easily defeated Howard Samuels, who was known
to the voters as "Howie the Horse" because he ran the state's
offtrack betting corporation. "Samuels showed lots of early
foot, but faded fast in the stretch,' Reynolds said. "Former
Attorney General Ramsey Clark, laughed at by the bosses when
he announced his candidacy, proved that a man from Texas could
find happiness in New York. He beat Syracuse Mayor Lee
Alexander and will run against Sen. Javits in November."
There were a few wild inconsistencies, said Reynolds. In
Colorado Gary Hart, one of McGovern's '72 campaign managers,
won the Senate nomination by defeating Eric Roth. Roth lost
his job with the AFL-CIO in '72 because he defied Meany and
supported McGovern.
14
In New Hampshire, Governor Meldrim Thompson, a GOP con-
servative who stayed with Nixon to the bitter end, "found
himself running against an unfortunate citizen who's last name
was Nixon. Bumper stickers promptly appeared with the words,
"One Nixon is Enough.' and Thompson won renomination.
Women won Senate nominations in Maryland, Oregon, and
South Carolina. And in Maryland, Connecticut, and Nevada,
women were chosen to run for governor.
Until last Sunday morning, Republicans were congratulating
themselves for getting Watergate off their backs, said Reynolds.
But it now appears they may not be "pardoned" from carrying
that burden after all.
National Park Service Director Ronald Walker has resigned
effective January 1. Walker, who handled Nixon's travel ar-
rangements before his appointment in December, 1972, said he
had reached a personal decision to return to private life.
Reasoner reported Israel Prime Minister Rabin continued
talks in Washington, seeking substantial United States mili-
tary and economic aid.
Ted Koppel said Israel's primary concern now is the
Syrian front. United States intelligence has confirmed recent
Israeli reports of stepped-up Soviet arm supplies to the Syrians.
These shipments have not only made up the losses Syria in-
curred in the October war, they have substantially increased
the level of sophistication in Syria's arsenal, specifically
shipments of Soviet MIG 23's. Reliable US sources said Moscow
resumed shipments of spare parts to Egypt. It is an open
secret that in five hours of negotiations Wednesday, said
Koppel, Rabin's pushed hard for massive United States military
assistance. He's reportedly been assured he'll get large-
scale and long-term military aid, possibly as much as $7.5
billion worth in next five years, said Koppel. But Israeli
sources said Rabin's most pressing concern was immediate re-
supply of conventional weapons -- tanks and small arms
ammunition.
Rabin on film said, "Israel has stated its needs -- to
be stronger. These issues and other issues have been discussed."
Koppel said Secretary Kissinger hopes to meet in early
October with Arab leaders in the Middle East. But before he
goes, he needs to know from Rabin what concessions Israel is
prepared to make towards new agreements with Jordan and Egypt
if the United States comes across with the support that Israel
is looking for.
15
FROM THE WIRE SERVICES
Rockefeller Confirmation Starts September 23
The Senate Rules Committee announced its hearings to
confirm Nelson Rockefeller as Vice President will start
September 23. They will be held in the Senate Caucus Room
and will be televised, Rules Chairman Howard W. Cannon said.
The Committee asked Rockefeller to make public then, or
sooner, a financial statement listing his assets, liabilities
and net worth. This information already has been submitted
to the Committee in confidence. Cannon said an FBI report
on Rockefeller raised no problems.
Congress Democrats Plan Lame-Duck Session
Senate Majority Leader Mansfield and Speaker Albert an-
nounced Wednesday they plan a post-election session of the
Congress. The object: To complete action on tax reform, the
trade bill, and health insurance. Ways and Means Chairman
Wilbur Mills said he holds no hope for health insurance this
year. Mansfield, however, told newsmen that chances are
good on final approval of a health plan.
May Have Violated Securities Laws
Philadelphia -- The Philadelphia Inquirer said Wednesday
former Governor William Scranton may have violated federal
securities law while serving as director of the United
Municipal Incinerator Corporation. The paper said Scranton
and other directors failed to notify potential investors
UMNIC suffered a major setback three weeks after it issued
a prospectus.
Senate Committee Overrides Ford on Pay
The Senate Civil Service Committee recommended Wednesday
that the full Senate override President Ford's deferral of a
5.5 percent pay raise for Federal employees scheduled for
October 1. The vote was 7 to 0.
Senate Questions Aid for Nixon
Sen. Joseph Montoya told General Services Administrator
Arthur Sampson Wednesday Nixon aides must have been "given
quite a snow job" to get him to ask for $850,000 to help the
former President return to private life. Sampson told Montoya's
appropriations subcommittee expenditure of the money would be
in the national interest.
16
Sirica Refuses to Delay Cover-Up Trial
Federal Judge John J. Sirica Wednesday refused a request
from defendant H. R. Haldeman to delay further the Watergate
cover-up trial scheduled to begin September 30. Haldeman
argued trial should wait until the Supreme Court decides if
his indictment is valid.
FOREIGN NEWS
Recognition Offered Guinea-Bissau
Washington (UPI) - President Ford has offered to extend
diplomatic recognition and to establish diplomatic relations
with the newly independent state of Guinea-Bissau, the State
Department announced Wednesday.
Sick Prisoners to Be Exchanged
Nicosia - Greek and Turkish leaders on Cyprus agreed to
free sick and wounded prisoners. UPI said all prisoners under
the age of 18 also will be released. A United Nations com-
munique indicated no accord had been reached on an exchange
of prisoners.
FINANCIAL
Stocks Close Lower
The Associated Press reported "the mood was dark on Wall
Street" Wednesday as stock prices again closed lower. Brokers
expressed unhappiness over the absence of buying interest. With
sales below 12 million shares for the third day in a row, the
Dow Jones industrial average was off 3.45 to 654.72.
Egypt to Get American Wheat
Cairo (AP) - The United States will supply 100,000 tons
of wheat to Egypt in the first quarter of 1975, an Egyptian
government announcement said Wednesday. The Wheat is worth
$16 million and is part of the Food for Peace Program.
Less Corn for Feed This Winter
The AP. said "the nation's drought-shriveled corn crop, a
key to much of the consumer food supply in 1975, has improved
slightly as the result of recent rains but still will be 11 per
cent below last year's record harvest, the Agriculture Department
said Wednesday. =
17
The story said soybean production will be down 16 per cent
from a year ago.
"As ingredients for livestock feed, corn and soybeans are
the major building blocks for meat, poultry and dairy products,"
writer Don Kendall reported.
Russia expects to harvest a grain crop second only to
last year, "more than a goal set by Moscow."
Railroad Officials Indicted
Washington (UPI) - A Federal Grand Jury Wednesday charged
two former officials of the Penn Central Railroad, a West
German financier, and two others with conspiring to misapply
$4.2 million in railroad funds. The Philadelphia grand jury
also charged the defendants with mail fraud and wire fraud.
Indicted were David Bevan, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania; William R.
Gerstnecker, Boca Raton, Florida; Fidel Gotz, Vaduz, Lichtenstein;
Joseph H. Rosenbaum, Washington; and Francis N. Rosenbaum,
McLean.
STEES
Baltimore Sun, September 11, 1974
GERALD R. FORM
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
NIXON
S
GATE
WATER
'Now to shut the book on Watergate
,
?
FORD
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 11, 1974
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
On September 16, I announced my program of clemency. I am pleased
that on this Thanksgiving weekend I am able to announce my first
decisions on recommendations of the Presidential Clemency Board
involving eighteen individual cases of draft evasion.
I want to thank each of you here for sharing this ceremonial moment.
I also want to thank the Clemency Boa members for their hard work.
Signing ceremonies often mark the end of a project. But today these
signings represent the beginning of the difficult task of administering
clemency. Instead of signing these decisions in a routine way, I want
to use this occasion to underline the commitment of my administration
to an even-handed policy of clemency.
When I initiated this policy, I detailed the reasons for my decision on
this very difficult problem. I consider them as valid today as when I
first announced them. We do not resolve difficult issues by ignoring them.
There are honest differences that will continue to be discussed. But
discussion must not overshadow the need for action and fair and open
resolution of the clemency problem.
Of the eighteen recommendations the board has made to me, I have
reviewed each one and have personally approved each one. Information
on these cases will be made available to the board and to me on which to
base these decisions. But to make public the complete file on each
individual would be a negation of his right to privacy.
In each case, however, the law was violated and each has received
punishment. The power of clemency can look to reasons for these actions
which the law cannot. Unlike God's law, man's law cannot probe into the
heart of human beings. The best way we can do this is to offer clemency
and to provide a way for offenders to earn their way back into their rightful
place in society.
Last week, I traveled overseas in search for peace. Yet we cannot
effectively seek peace abroad with other nations until we have made
peace at home. While America reaches out to those with whom we have
disagreed in the pa st, we must do no less within our own nation. Some-
times it seems easier for us to firgive foreign enemies than fellow
Americans at home.
-2-
Let us continue to search for a softening of the national animosity
caused by differences over the Vietnam war.
We will not forget the sacrifices of those who served and died in
Vietnam. In their honor, America must seek ways to live up to the
ideals of freedom and charity they fought to preserve.
These first few decisions do not end the unfinished business of clemency.
But the task of formal forgiveness is underway. I hope it marks the
beginning of personal forgiveness in the hearts of all Americans troubled
by Vietnam and its aftermath.
#
#
#
PRESS CONFERENCE
November 29, 1974
CHAIRMAN CHARLES E. GOODELL
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
CONTENTS OF PRESS KIT
1)
Statement by Chairman Charles E. Goodell
2)
Information on Clemency Procedures
3)
Sample of Application and Cover Letter
4)
18 Case Summaries of Individuals who received
Executive Clemency and Pardons
5)
Regulations and Procedures Governing the
Board's Actions
6)
Biographies of the Presidential Clemency Board
Members
Contact Joan Vinson: 456-2791
Information on Public Affairs Programs; Coordination of
Veterans & other Group Events & Speakers' Bureau
Contact Nia Nickolas: 456-6476
All Press Related Requests and Information
All Electronic and News Media
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Statement by Chairman Charles E. Goodell
November 29, 1974
The President has accepted the unanimous recommendation of the Presidential
Clemency Board that executive clemency be granted to 18 individuals. He has
granted 8 full and unconditional pardons and 10 conditional clemencies which
will become full and unconditional pardons upon fulfillment of specified
periods of alternate service.
The distribution of lengths of alternate service is as follows:
3 applicants for clemency
3 months of alternate service
5 applicants for clemency
6 months of alternate service
1 applicant for clemency
10 months of alternate service
1 applicant for clemency
12 months of alternate service
Over and over again in reviewing the cases before the Board, we have found
that the applicants are not the sterotyped ideological war resisters.
For the most part, the draft violations which we have examined were not
consciously and directly related to opposition to the Vietnam War. In the
cases of Jehovah's Witnesses and some others, there was genuine conscien-
tious objection to killing -- but these objectors generally did not know
how to pursue their rights properly through the Selective Service system.
The other group are generally people who have had severe marital problems
requiring immediate attention; the father who died leaving a family with-
out any means of support, or the mother or wife who became acutely ill.
Rather than being from educated and middle-class backgrounds, these indi-
viduals are unsophisticated, often inarticulate and unable to explain
properly their problems. Basically, these people just didn't know how to
take advantage of their rights under our legal system. They just didn't
know how.
Based on the applications to the Presidential Clemency Board, it appears
that the image we have held in the past of the typical Vietnam-era draft
evader is just plain wrong.
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
Old Executive Office Building, Room 460
Washington, D. C. 20500
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Nia Nickolas 456-6476
Contact: Joan Vinson 456-2791
All Press Related Information
Public Relations, Speakers' Bureau
INFORMATION ON CLEMENCY PROCEDURES
On September 16, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford issued a Proclamation an-
nouncing a "Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military
Deserters", thereby establishing the Presidential Clemency Program. This
Program was created in the hope of furthering the national commitment to
justice and mercy wherein our Country could "bind the wounds" of the past
and proceed to the future in a more conciliatory and unifying atmosphere.
There are three organizations involved in the Clemency Program: 1) The
Presidential Clemency Board; 2) The Department of Defense; and 3) The
Department of Justice. They cover offenses committed between August 4,
1964, and March 28, 1973. In all cases, applicants to all agencies must
apply prior to Januarv 31, 1975.
(Convicted Draft Evaders or Military Absentees)
I. THE PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD is comprised of nine members with former
Senator Charles E. Goodell as Chairman. It deals only with those individuals
who have received sentence or military discharge for their offense. There
are two types of potential applicants-- those who have been convicted of a
draft evasion offense and those who received a punitive or undesirable dis-
charge from the Armed Forces because of a military absentee offense com-
mitted during the above specified dates. In reviewing cases, the Board is
empowered to make recommendations to the President either granting or deny-
ing clemency. If the granting of clemency is recommended, such clemency may
be conditioned upon the performance of alternate service. Such clemency may
be in the form of a Pardon, a Clemency Discharge or Commutation of sentence.
(Unconvicted AWOLS, Deserters, or Those Who Have Missed Military Movement)
II. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE has jurisdiction over persons in military
service who have gone AWOL, have deserted or have missed a military move-
ment and have not yet been convicted or discharged. A serviceman wishing
to avail himself of the Clemency Program should report to the branch of the
service from which he absented himself. (Members of the Coast Guard should
report to the Secretary of Transportation.) At the time an individual turns
himself in, he reaffirms his allegiance to the United States and agrees to
perform alternate service. He is given an Undesirable Discharge and is re-
ferred to the Director of Selective Service for assistance in placement in
alternate service. Upon fulfillment of alternative service, his Undesirable
Discharge will be upgraded to a Clemency Discharge.
(more)
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(Unconvicted Draft Evaders)
III. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE has jurisdiction over unconvicted persons
with outstanding violations of the Selective Service laws. An individual
wishing to avail himself of this component of the Clemency Program must
present himself to a United States Attorney before January 31, 1975, and
execute an agreement acknowledging his allegiance to the United States
and pledge to fulfill a period of alternate service under the auspices of
the Director of Selective Service. Upon completion of that service, pend-
ing charges against an indicted individual will be dismissed. Non-indicted
individuals will have their case files closed without charges being brought.
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
Old Executive Office Building, Room 460
Washington, D. C. 20500
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Nia Nickolas 456-6476
Contact: Joan Vinson 456-2791
All Press Related Information
Public Relations, Speakers' Bureau
INFORMATION ON CLEMENCY PROCEDURES
On September 16, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford issued a Proclamation an-
nouncing a "Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military
Deserters", thereby establishing the Presidential Clemency Program. This
Program was created in the hope of furthering the national commitment to
justice and mercy wherein our Country could "bind the wounds" of the past
and proceed to the future in a more conciliatory and unifying atmosphere.
There are three organizations involved in the Clemency Program: 1) The
Presidential Clemency Board; 2) The Department of Defense; and 3) The
Department of Justice. They cover offenses committed between August 4,
1964, and March 28, 1973. In all cases, applicants to all agencies must
apply prior to January 31, 1975.
(Unconvicted Draft Evaders or Military Absentees)
I. THE PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD is comprised of nine members with former
Senator Charles E. Goodell as Chairman. It deals only with those individuals
who have received sentence or military discharge for their offense. There
are two types of potential applicants-- those who have been convicted of a
draft evasion offense and those who received a punitive or undesirable dis-
charge from the Armed Forces because of a military absentee offense com-
mitted during the above specified dates. In reviewing cases, the Board is
empowered to make recommendations to the President either granting or deny-
ing clemency. If the granting of clemency is recommended, such clemency may
be conditioned upon the performance of alternate service. Such clemency may
be in the form of a Pardon, a Clemency Discharge or Commutation of sentence.
(Unconvicted AWOLS, Deserters, or Those Who Have Missed Military Movement)
II. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE has jurisdiction over persons in military
service who have gone AWOL, have deserted or have missed a military move-
ment and have not yet been convicted or discharged. A serviceman wishing
to avail himself of the Clemency Program should report to the branch of the
service from which he absented himself. (Members of the Coast Guard should
report to the Secretary of Transportation.) At the time an individual turns
himself in, he reaffirms his allegiance to the United States and agrees to
perform Iternate service. He is given an Undesirable Discharge and is re-
ferred t e Director of Selective Service for assistance in placement in
alternate service. Upon fulfillment of alternative service, his Undesirable
Discharge will be upgraded to a Clemency Discharge.
(more)
- 2 -
(Unconvicted Draft Evaders)
III. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE has jurisdiction over unconvicted persons
with outstanding violations of the Selective Service laws. An individual
wishing to avail himself of this component of the Clemency Program must
present himself to a United States Attorney before January 31, 1975, and
execute an agreement acknowledging his allegiance to the United States
and pledge to fulfill a period of alternate service under the auspices of
the Director of Selective Service. Upon completion of that service, pend-
ing charges against an indicted individual will be dismissed. Non-indicted
individuals will have their case files closed without charges being brought.
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Sir:
We understand that you may be interested in applying for
clemency under the President's clemency program. Enclosed is
an application form which you must return to us if you want your
case considered by the Presidential Clemency Board. We have
also enclosed materials which describe the procedure that the
Board intends to use and some of the factors which it will consider
in examining your case.
If you wish to apply, please complete the application form as
soon as possible. You should also send us any information you con-
sider favorable to your case. You can send it with your application,
or as quickly afterwards as you can. When we receive your appli-
cation and any additional papers you may want to submit, the Board
will begin to review your case.
You will not have to appear personally before the Board. You
may, however, call or see one of our staff and you are invited to
add to your file whatever you think helpful. You do not need an
attorney to apply for clemency, but we do suggest that you seek the
advice of one. If you do not know how to get an attorney, we can
tell you.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Hoodell
Charles E. Goodell
Chairman
Enclosures
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
APPLICATION
I hereby apply to the Presidential Clemency Board for consideration.
NAME
Last
First
Middle
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone & Area Code
Social Security No.
Date of Birth
If you were convicted in federal civil court, or military court-martial,
please describe the offense, give date of offense, and the date and place
of conviction:
Location of prison where last confined
Former military personnel who were court-martialed or administratively
discharged from a military service please complete the following:
Branch of Service
Military Service No.
If Soc. Sec. No., please indicate
Year entered military
Date of Discharge
Type of Discharge
How awarded (check one):
Court-martial ( ) Admin. Discharge Board ( )
Own request to avoid trial ( )
Offenses on which Administrative Discharge based:
Date
Signature
Case #2
This applicant is white, and is now in his mid-twenties. He was
raised in the Midwest, in a deeply religious family of Jehovah's
Witnesses. After graduating from high school, he devoted two
years to full-time church work. He married and worked steadily
as a carpenter. His draft board granted him conscientious ob-
jector status, and he was assigned to work in a hospital. Although
he reported there, he refused to work. His religion does not allow
him to obey an order from his draft board, because the Selective
Service is considered part of the military. He would have per-
formed alternative service if ordered to do so by a Judge. He was
sentenced to 3 years in prison. He has spent almost a full year
in confinement.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #6
This applicant is white and the product of a stable and religious
home. He was graduated from high school and is married. His
draft board granted him a draft deferment as a minister of the
Jehovah's Witness faith. Financial problems caused him to leave
the ministry briefly, and his draft board reclassified him as a
conscientious objector. Based on his religious belief that any
cooperation with the Selective Service System is immoral, the
applicant refused to comply with his draft board's order to report
for alternative service. He was convicted and sentenced to 2 years
in prison, of which he has served eight months.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #7
This applicant is white and married. He was born in the south and
is one of eight children. He comes from a broken home and has had
to be self-sufficient since he was very young. He dropped out of
school in the 11th grade. He moved often but did not always tell
his draft board of his new addresses. He was tried for failing to
report his address and pleaded guilty. However, he explained that
the draft had ended and he thought it was no longer necessary to
contact his draft board. As a result, he was given a two-year
suspended sentence on condition that he work for six months in a
non-profit charitable job. He has satisfactorily completed that
work.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #9
This applicant is white and in his mid-twenties. He grew up
in a large family from Appalachia. He completed junior college,
met a Jehovah's Witness missionary, converted, and married her.
He then applied for conscientious objector status. His claim
was denied because it was made after he received his induction
notice. He reported for induction but failed to step forward
and take the oath. He turned himself in and stated that he
would do alternative service. However, he was given a 3 1/2
year sentence. He has now served 11 months.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #15
This applicant is black, and from the south. He has been
steadily employed since graduating from high school. His
entire family is of the Muslim faith, which prohibits military
or alternative service. The applicant reported for induction
but thereafter refused to step forward. He was sentenced to
three years in prison, of which he has served five months.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #16
This applicant is white and in his late twenties. He was born in
South America to parents who were United States citizens. He
finished high school and started junior college. He is married
and his wife is expecting their second child. He claimed he was
against the Vietnam War and all wars, but he was denied his con-
scientious objector status. When ordered for induction, he
appeared but refused to step forward. He said that he loved
his country and would perform alternative service. He was sen-
tenced to two years in prison and has served 8 months.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #20
This applicant is black, grew up in the Midwest, and provides a
major part of his mother's support. His mother has been a semi-
invalid since being severely burned many years ago. He did not
finish the tenth grade. On the day prior to his induction date,
he requested, but was denied, postponement of induction due to
his mother's illness. He failed to report for induction and was
later convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. At the
time of sentencing, the applicant said he was willing to join the
Army or perform alternative service. During his 13 months incar-
ceration, he has participated in an unescorted overnight furlough
program.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #21
This applicant is white, and grew up in the Midwest. He has been
an active Jehovah's Witness since the age of nine. His draft
board granted him conscientious objector status, but he refused
to perform alternative service, since to do so would have compro-
mised his religious beliefs. He was sentenced to three years im-
prisonment and he has been actively involved in his religion
during the 10 months he has spent in prison.
Disposition: Pardon.
Case #5
This applicant is white, single and from the Midwest. He only
completed the 10th grade. Although he twice applied for con-
scientious objector status, it was denied on both occasions.
He then failed to report for induction. Although he later
reported, he refused to step forward. He remained in the area
and stood trial. He has served one year of a 4 to 6 year sen-
tence under the provisions of the Federal Youth Corrections Act.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 3 months alternative service.
Case #17
This applicant is white and in his middle twenties. He was raised
in the Eastern United States in a closely knit family. The appli-
cant is a college graduate, and has participated in a Peace Corps
training program. He was ordered to report for induction but claims
that he did not report because there was no draft call that month.
He remained in school and ultimately earned a teaching certificate.
He states that he did not hear again from his draft board. It
appears that he never attempted to evade authorities. The appli-
cant stood trial for failure to report for induction and was
sentenced to 60 days in prison. He served twenty days.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 3 months alternative service.
Case #25
This applicant is black and in his mid-twenties. He completed 3
years of college and then went to Canada because he did not agree
with the war in Vietnam. After 18 months, he returned voluntarily
"to work things out". A few months later, he married his college
sweetheart. He says he was told that his case would be dropped if
he reported for induction. The draft ended before he could meet
this condition. He tried to enlist in the National Guard but was
rejected. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison and has served
8 1/2 months.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 3 months alternative service.
Case #4
This applicant is white and comes from a large family in the
Midwest. His parents were divorced when he was young. He left
high school after the 11th grade and went to work as a store
clerk. He failed to report for his physical when ordered. Six
months later, he converted to the Jehovah's Witness faith, and
then refused to appear for induction. He was convicted and sen-
tenced to 5 years. He has now served 10 months.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 6 months alternative service.
Case #8
This applicant, who is white and married, grew up in the Northeast
in a large religious family. Shortly before his notice of induction,
he moved to California where he attended one semester at a junior
college. He has stated that he refused to report for induction
because of his strong feelings against killing, and that he later
attempted to register as a conscientious objector with a draft board
in California. Prior to his apprehension, he worked in a hospital
for 1 1/2 years. He was convicted for failing to keep his local
draft board informed of his current address. He was sentenced to
thirty days in jail, to be served on weekends, and has served four-
teen days of the sentence.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 6 months alternative service.
Case #11
This applicant, in his middle twenties, is Mexican. His
parents are divorced. He immigrated to the southwestern
United States when he was a teenager and completed the 11th
grade. He ran away from home. When he returned, he found
out he was a fugitive because he had failed to report for
induction. He turned himself in and was sentenced to a 4-6
year term. He served six months in prison. He desires to
enlist in the United States Armed Forces and become an American
citizen.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, six months alternative service.
Case #19
This applicant is white and in his middle twenties. His father
died when he was young and he was raised by his mother, during
which time the family moved frequently. He only had a 9th grade
education. The applicant left home shortly before he was ordered
to report for induction. About four years later, he was arrested
and convicted of failure to keep his draft board informed of his
address. He was sentenced to six months in prison, half of which
has been served.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 6 months alternative service.
Case #23
This applicant is black, in his mid-twenties and comes from the
South. He never knew his natural parents and his step-father died
when the applicant was in high school. His step-mother is severely
ill and relies upon him for financial support. He lost his college
deferment for failing to meet Selective Service requirements. He
then applied for a hardship deferment based on his step-mother's
illness but this was denied. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison
and has served 6 months.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 6 months alternative service.
Case #14
This applicant is white and is from the south. His draft board
granted him conscientious objector status and he began alternative
service in a hospital. He left this job after conflict with his
superior, and was later arrested. He was released on bond, but
failed to appear in court. When he was arrested a year and a half
later, he was married and steadily employed. He was sentenced to
two years in prison, and has served 7 months. His employer has
promised to give the applicant his old job back upon his release.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 10 months alternative service.
Case #18
This white applicant, in his early twenties, was raised in an
unstable family environment in the Southeast. He dropped out
of school in the 8th grade, and has since held jobs of short
duration. He twice failed to report for a pre-induction physi-
cal examination. Thereafter, he was ordered to report for
induction. The applicant failed to report and when located by
the FBI, a year later, indicated that he had not intentionally
evaded the draft. The U. S. Attorney advised him that if he
joined the service within a month, he would not be prosecuted.
The applicant responded that he would rather not serve in the
Army and inquired as to civilian service. He then took Navy
qualifying tests but was found unqualified for enlistment be-
cause of his low test scores and inadequate education. He was
thereafter convicted of failing to report for induction and has
served 4 days of his 2 year sentence.
Disposition: Executive Clemency, 1 year alternative service.
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
Office of the Press Secretary
202: 456-6476
OUTLINE OF
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD PROCEDURES
The Presidential Clemency Board has developed the following
procedures to make certain that all applicants are fully aware of their
rights when they take their cases to the Board:
Each applicant has -
- The right to an attorney. Applicants that are unable to obtain
their own lawyer will be informed of organizations such as the
American Legion, the Federal Public Defenders, etc., who
may offer them legal assistance.
- The right to see the files that the Board uses to prepare his
case.
- The right to suggest other government files that the Board
should see.
- The right to review the summary of his case which the Board's
attorneys have prepared.
- The right to correct, add, or supplement the information in
the summary.
- The right to submit any information he desires the Board to
consider.
- The right to submit a statement up to 3 pages in length which
will be read to the Board verbatim.
-2-
-
The right to appear personally, or by representative, in
appropriate cases, to present his case in his own words.
- Full notice of the rules the Board will be governed by and the
various factors the Board will consider in deciding his case.
- The assurance that the Board will preserve his privacy to
the greatest extent possible. No information will be for-
warded to other authorities unless it discloses information
about a violation of law (except for Selective Service viola-
tions covered by the Clemency Program).
The Board will be guided in each case decision by the following
factors:
Aggravating circumstances:
(1) Prior adult criminal convictions.
(2) False statements by the applicant to the Presidential Clemency
Board.
(3) Use of force by applicants when committing the AWOL, desertion,
missing movement, or civilian draft evasion offense.
(4) Desertion during combat.
(5) Evidence that applicant committed the offense for obviously
manipulative and selfish reasons.
(6) Prior refusal to fulfill alternative service.
(7) Prior violation of probation or parole requirements.
-3-
Mitigating circumstances:
(1) Applicant's lack of sufficient education or ability to under-
stand the obligations, or remedies available, under the law.
(2) Personal and family hardship either at the time of the
offense or at the time the applicant was to perform alter-
native service.
(3) Mental or physical illness or condition, either at the time
of the offense or currently.
(4) Employment or volunteer activities of service to the public
since conviction or military discharge.
(5) Service-connected disability, wounds in combat, or decora-
tions for valor in combat.
(6) Tours of service in the war zone.
(7) Substantial evidence of personal or procedural unfairness in the
treatment of applicant.
(8) Denial of conscientious objector status, or of another claim
for Selective Service exemption or deferment, or of a claim
for hardship discharge, compassionate reassignment, emer-
gency leave, or other remedy available under military law, on
procedural, technical, or improper grounds, or on grounds
which have subsequently been held unlawful by the courts.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-4-
(9) Evidence that an applicant acted in conscience, and not
for manipulative or selfish reasons.
(10) Voluntary submission to authorities by applicant.
In each case the applicant may receive a maximum of 24 months
alternative service, reduced by credit for time served in prison,
and for time for parole or probation or other periods of alternative
service he has already completed satisfactorily.
In appropriate cases, alternative service will be reduced or
waived entirely. The alternative service may also be increased if
there are particularly aggravating circumstances. Any person who
is not required to perform alternative service will receive an
immediate full pardon. Any person required to do alternative
service will receive clemency conditional upon satisfactory com-
pletion of their service. At that time they will also receive full
pardons.
NOTE: The preceding is a condensed version of the complete Rules,
Regulations, and Administrative Procedures of the Presidential Clemency
Board published in the Federal Register, Volume 39, Number 230, Novem-
ber 27, 1974.
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
Office of the Press Secretary
202: 456-6476
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY BOARD
CHAIRMAN CHARLES E. GOODELL, 48 Years of Age
From 1968 to 1970 he served as a United States Senator from New
York. He is currently in the private practice of law. He was born
in 1926 and is a graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School,
with a Master's degree in government. While at Yale, he was a
Ford Foundation Fellow. He resides in Northwest Washington.
DR. RALPH ADAMS, 59 Years of Age
Since 1964 he has been President of Troy State University in Troy,
Alabama. He was born in Samson, Alabama in 1915, and received
his A.B. degree at Birmingham-Southern College and his LL. B,
LL. D, and J.D. degrees from the University of Alabama. He also
has done postgraduate work at the University of Colorado and George
Washington University. He is a Brigadier General with the Air
National Guard of Alabama. He is married to the former Dorothy
Kelly and they have three children.
MR. JAMES P. DOUGOVIT O, 28 Years of Age
He presently serves as a teaching aide of minority students in the
Department of Technology at Michigan Technological University in
Houghton, Michigan. Mr. Dougovita is a veteran and has been
awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star,
Purple Heart and is now a Captain in the Michigan National Guard.
He was born in Menominee, Michigan on December 22, 1945, and
received his AAS degree from Michigan Technological University
in June of 1973. He and his wife Elaine have one child and live in
L'Anse, Michigan.
HONORABLE ROBERT H. FINCH, 51 Years of Age
He is a senior partner in the Los Angeles Law Firm of McKenna,
Fitting, and Finch. He was born on October 9, 1925, in Tempe,
Arizona and received his A. B. degree from Occidental College
and J.D. degree from the University of Southern California. He
was formerly Secretary of HEW, and Counsellor to President
Nixon. He is married to the former Carol Crouthers and they
have four children.
- 2 -
FATHER THEODORE M. HESBURGH, 57 Years of Age
He is the President of Notre Dame University. He was born in 1927.
He was a permanent Vatican Delegate to the International Atomic
Energy Agency. He has served as Chairman of the U. S. Com-
mission on Civil Rights and as a member of the Commission on
All-Volunteer Armed Force. Father Hesburgh is also Chairman
of the Overseas Development Council.
MR. VERNON E. JORDAN, 39 Years of Age
He has been Executive Director of the National Urban League since
January 1, 1972. Mr. Jordan is a lawyer by profession and served
previously as the Executive Director of the United Negro College
Fund, Director of the Voter Education Project, Southern Regional
Council, and as Attorney-Consultant in the U. S. Office of Economic
Opportunity. He was born on August 15, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia,
and received his B.A. degree from DePauw University in 1957. He
received his J.D. degree from Howard University Law School in
1960, and was a Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Uni-
versity and a Fellow at the Metropolitan Applied Research Center.
He is married to the former Shirley M. Yarbrough and they have
one daughter. They reside in White Plains, New York.
MR. JAMES MAYE, 31 Years of Age
Since 1973, he has served as the Executive Director of the Paralyzed
Veterans of America, Inc. He was born on January 14, 1943 in
Bassett, Virginia, and received his B.A. degree from Bridgewater
College and his M.S. degree from Virginia Commonwealth Univer-
sity. He is married and resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.
MRS. AIDA O'CONNOR, 52 Years of Age
She is a practicing attorney at the Two World Trade Center in New
York City. She was born in 1922, and received her B.A. degree
and LL. B. degree from the George Washington University. She is
a member of the American Bar Association and the Supreme Court
of the United States. Mrs. O'Connor is also a member of the
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and the U. S. District Court of
Puerto Rico.
- 3 -
GENERAL LEWIS W. WALT, USMC (Ret), 61 Years of Age
He retired after 34 years of distinguished service in the Marine
Corps and is a veteran of the Second World War, the Korean and
Vietnamese Wars. He was an Assistant Commandant of the Marine
Corps. He has received the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of
Merit, Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and numerous other military
decorations. He was born on February 16, 1913, in Wabaunsee County,
Kansas, and received his B.S. degree from Colorado State University
in 1936. General Walt is married to the former June Burkett Jacobsen
and they reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.